Apple devices extremely sluggish with Motorola SBG6580 modem

Question

Level 1

4 points

Apple devices extremely sluggish with Motorola SBG6580 modem

All of my Apple devices (2 iMacs, an iPad and 2 iPhones) when connected to a new Motorola modem SBG6580 Time Warner installed experience frequent slow-downs to dial-up speeds; at other times work fine. My iMacs are directly Ethernetted into the Time Capsule; the iPad and iPhones operate via my WiFi network created by the Time Capsule. Ironically, my ancient Windows-based laptop when connected directly to the modem experiences NO PROBLEM. I tried connecting my iMacs directly into the modem (bypassing the Time Capsule) but that does not cure the severe bottlenecks.

Has anyone else had this problem? The Motorola modems are new and are designed for ulta-highspeed broadband so there many not be many of you out there with this modem in use with your Apple products.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.5), See above

Posted on Dec 6, 2010 9:47 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Dec 6, 2010 10:11 AM in response to tasiv

I haven't tried this particular model of modem, but will note that cable modems in general always need a complete reset whenever any type of changes are being made on the network. If you have been connecting different devices to the modem, this may help get things going again.

If you haven't already done this, push the reset button on the modem and power it off. Pull the internal battery on the modem if its easily accessible. Leave the modem powered down 20-30 minutes.

Power off everything else on the network as well

After the power down period, power up the modem first and let it run for a few minutes by itself. Then start the next device that is connected to the modem the same way. Keep powering up devices one at a time until everything is back up

See if that provides any help.

If not, the next step would be to reset the Time Capsule back to factory defaults (to clear out any old and possibly conflicting settings) and reconfigure the device again.

Reply

Answer 2

tasiv Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 6, 2010 1:37 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob: Thanks very much for the info. Unfortunately none of these steps have worked. I really cannot understand why a Windows-based laptop would have no problem when all my OSX-based devices do with this fairly new modem. (http://www.motorola.com/Video-Solutions/US-EN/Products-and-Services/Voice-and-Da ta-Consumer-Premise-Equipment/DOCSIS-Modems-Gateways-and-eMTAs/Wireless-Cable-Mo dem-Gateways/SBG6580)

Reply

Answer 3

Dec 6, 2010 1:43 PM in response to tasiv

Sorry that this did not work. I think it's at the point where you may want to take the Time Capsule to an Apple store to have it checked out (where it will probably operate just fine). If that's the case, then check with Apple Support or Motorola to see if there are any known compatibility issues between the modem and Apple operating system.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Reply

Answer 4

tasiv Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 6, 2010 4:32 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Time Warner just solved my problem! As it turns out, the firewall in the Motorola SBG6580 is not compatible with the firewalls in the iMac and Time Capsule. The tech's supervisor came to my house and figured it out. Once he disabled the firewall on the Motorola, I'm skipping along now at 20mbps down with no problem!

Reply

Answer 5

tasiv Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 6, 2010 4:33 PM in response to tasiv

See my last post. The problem was that the firewall in the Motorola was in conflict with the firewalls of my iMac and Time Capsule and had to be disabled. Then no more Internet bottlenecks

Reply

Answer 6

Dec 6, 2010 4:46 PM in response to tasiv

Thanks for the info. This will certainly help other users who may have this modem and experience the same kind of problems. Clearly a case of nothing wrong with either the Time Capsule or the modem, just a compatibility issue between the two.

Glad that you did not have to take the Time Capsule to the Apple store, where it would of course have performed perfectly.

Reply

Answer 7

tasiv Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 7, 2010 6:43 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Me, too. Thanks for your support. For anyone else reading this post later with the same problem, the Motorola modem is of a new technology called DOCSIS 3.0. I'm putting this here because that might be the way someone searches for it rather than the Motorola SBG6580. Incidentally, Time Warner told me they will be replacing this modem with another one because of the many issues they've had with it in trials in Charlotte, NC and Southern California and also because the new one allows both Internet and phone in one modem.

Reply

Answer 8

Dec 7, 2010 6:49 AM in response to tasiv

More good info, thanks.

It is nice to see that the provider stepped up to help, rather than offer the usual "everything looks good from our end" answer from tech support.

Reply

Answer 9

Dec 12, 2010 6:27 PM in response to tasiv

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

I had the same issue in San Diego, CA using Cox Cable. My previous router died so I bought the Motorola 6580 and had the same issues -- MacBook with fresh install was sluggish over wifi and plugged in. iTunes did not have many issues but still slow.

I checked my iPhone 4 and it was connecting quite well which led me to this website. Removed the firewall protections on the Motorola router, unplugged it and now I'm getting 40-50 MBPS over wifi!!!

Spoke to 4 Cox techs who had no idea other than reset the modem.

Reply

Answer 10

bsmooth

Level 1

0 points

Feb 24, 2011 7:15 PM in response to saturnino3

I just bought the Motorola 6580. My question is that if I disable the Firewall on the modem, Where would I receive my firewall protection?

Reply

Answer 11

Feb 24, 2011 7:27 PM in response to bsmooth

The Time Capsule has a well designed NAT firewall.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Reply

Answer 12

bsmooth

Level 1

0 points

Feb 24, 2011 7:29 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Im not using Time Capsule. Is this issue only when using Time Capsule?

Reply

Answer 13

Feb 24, 2011 7:34 PM in response to bsmooth

The Time Capsule and the AirPort Extreme are basically the same router, except the Time Capsule has a built in hard drive, so this discussion would apply to those products only...unless other users come forth with information about other products.

Reply

Answer 14

bsmooth

Level 1

0 points

Feb 24, 2011 7:43 PM in response to Bob Timmons

The idea of me purchasing a Cable Modem Gateway was to avoid having multiple devices connected to receive WiFi for my Pro. Hopefully this will not be an issue to connect.

Reply

Answer 15

Feb 24, 2011 7:51 PM in response to bsmooth

Sorry, I'm confused here.

You were asking about firewall protection.

Your Mac has a firewall built into the operating system if you choose to turn off the firewall on the cable modem gateway.

Reply